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MEDITATIONS 

OF 

SOLITUDE 



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ISAAC CRAWFORD 



Meditations of Solitude 



ISAAC CRAWFORD 



Hixsox, Tennessee 
1916 




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FOREWORD 

Abont nine miles north of Chattanooga, in a 
Kmall valley, among fowls, animals, flowers, vege- 
tables and fniit trees, with my sister and my dear 
companion, the forest, I have held close com- 
nninion with the visible fonns of nature, heard 
the joyous songs of birds and the breezes rustling 
through the branches of the oaks. These are the 
inspirations that have claused me to write this 
little book and call it the Meditations of Solitude. 
If it should bring aught of joy or pleasure to you, 
I feel that I have not written in vain. 

Isaac Crawford. 
Hixson, Tenn., June, 1916. 



INDEX 



Page 

Knoxville College 5 

Dayton Sunday School Con- 
vention 5 

The Rainy Day 7 

The Prisoner's Appeal 8 

Thanksgiving Day 10 

Remorse of Afterwards 11 

Persephone, or From Winter 
to Spring 13 

The Advent of Christ 15 

European Trouble 16 

A Comparison IS 

The Shortness of Life 20 

The Beautiful Stars 21 

The Living Torch 23 

Repose 25 

Looking Beyond 25 

A Fading Dream 26 

Like the Ending of a Dream.. 27 

Winter 28 

The Reading Flower 29 

A Telescopic View 31 

Pure Thoughts 32 

A Vision 34 

The Snowstorm 35 

Why We Should go to Sun- 
day School 36 

Change of Tree From Winter 
to Spring 37 

Starlight 39 



Page 

The Mountain Climber 39 

Love's Choice — a Soiiu' 41 

Little Driff 42 

Thoughts of a Stranger 43 

Our Darkness 44 

Passing Light 45 

Our Flower 48 

The Ruler of Day and Night.. 47 

Farmer's Life 47 

The Artist 50 

Bievity of Life 51 

Who Shall Stand 52 

To the Teacher 53 

Our Parting Is Suie 54 

tFlowers of Life 55 

On the Ocean of Time 56 

Toil 01) 

Bright Through Eternity 57 

Be Faithful In All Things.... 5S 

Life Is a Contest 59 

Temperance 59 

Advice to a School Boy UO 

Beyond the River Gl 

Defeat of Edwnid 62 

An Old Oak 63 

Spring Time 64 

Meditation 64 

The Reunion 65 

Song of the Shovel 66 



KNOXVILLE COLLUQE. 

Knoxvillc College, thy pride in the down-trodden race. 

Shall lift lip our haiinor on hijjh. 
AIthoujj;h wc arc crushed, and oppressed in alt place. 

We know that true labor can't die. 
Vou have taiijjht us the value of lahor. in truth; 

From tile wealth of the soil to a trade. 
And given us lessons of morals from youth, 

Thy name in the future shall not fade. 

Through lonp practice in teaching. 

Vou have broup^ht it to view. 
We are capable of work at the best ; 

We arc people of honor, when taught to be true, 
There is hope in vour teaching to bless. 

Your noble brick-masons and workers in wood, 
When finished their course in the school, 

They shall turn to the world, although less understood. 
To take up the hammer and rule. 

Your sightcrs of transits, surveyors of land, 

When nearing cruel prejudicial face. 
CiO back to Knoxvillc College and think of your stand. 

And never be a disgrace. 
Your teachers were worthy and held lofty hopes, 

While facing your class in the room. 
Preparing you fully, with others to cope. 

And knowing that knowledge is a boom. 

We are weak as a people, but the future, who knows. 

The strength that the Maker may give, 
Strength to the weak, to conquer their foes 

After we have learned to live. 
When from those schoolrooms and campus we go. 

Taught and prepared for the best. 
Be always honest, though tossed to and fro, 

Ix)oking to heaven for rest. 



DAYTON SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION. 

In the gathering up at Dayton, 
Where we meet with one accord. 

There the brothers were debating, 
In the service of the Lord. 

Some had gathered there to worship 



In the ^ood old-fashion way, 
There were many brothers present, 
Who had met, but not to pray. 

So on Friday was the battle. 

Though 'm not design to fear, 
And before that evening entered 

I surely wished I was not near. 
For those brothers were a mystery, 

There upon the Church-house floor, 
Some were just about to battle, 

Some invited to the door. 

And amid the stirring contest. 

Up the chairman rose and said : 
If you want to keep good order, 

You had better cool 3'our head. 
So the closing of the evening 

And the gathering there that night. 
When those brothers had got settled 

And decided not to fight. 

Then I heard a stirring sermon 

By an elder grand and meek. 
And he told us of the afterwards 

In a mighty solemn speech. 
Yes, he took them from the cradle, 

And he tracked them to the grave — 
Why he took them on an ocean. 

And he drowned them in the wave. 

So, on Saturday, they started 

In the work as brothers should, 
So the body was in earnest, 

Or it seemed they understood. 
Then I sat among the brothers 

In my good old-fashion way. 
Sure I love to go to meeting, 

A\'hen the people go to pray. 

Then that evening was a sermon 

That enlivened every one. 
And we all began in earnest 

When the work of right begun. 
Saturday night the concert time, 

I tell you I was there, 
Everybodv dressed so fine. 

And ladies lookine fair. 



Everybody sccmcci clcli|?htcd 

At the work that concert done, 
For they surely wore li^ht-hcartcd. 

And filled the church with fun. 
There wc had the finest nuisic, 

That the district choir could sinjj, 
When they rose in line to order, 

They made the whole church rinjjj. 

On that nifi^ht I well remcuiber, 

It ever lingers in my si^ht, 
And tlic years may pass unceasing^, 

I shall not forget that nijjht. 
And on Sunday was a Sermon, 

That would almost wake the dead ; 
Tt was sure a stirrinjj lesson. 

Of the life we people led. 

And that day was hot and hultry, 

And the house was crowded, too. 
There was one face in that g^athering^ 
Until the earth opened about her 

That I long to keep in view. 
I was busy, very busy, 

Till the evening^ slowly came. 
Then I started to the station, 

And I caug^ht the evening train. 



THE RAINY DAY. 

Patter, patter, drop by drop, 

Through the live long day. 
Let it rain, it helps the crop — 

It will always pay. 

Sing the song of truth and just. 

As you patter down. 
You are the one whom nature trusts, 

For her Spring-time crown. 

Every object needing life. 

Looks to vou and smiles. 
You are friendly, free from strife; 

With vnur earlv stvles. 



Trees, plants and birds and men, 

Thank thee for thy care — 
When we have done our part you will step in. 

Though a servant unto man through the live long year. 

Drooping grass shall raise its head. 

When it feels you fall. 
Rain the solemn lesson read. 

Summer, Spring or Fall. 

Rain's essential unto life. 

While you slowly creep; 
Xot as storms which bringeth strife. 

As the raindrops sleep. 

Bringing strength unto the weak. 

There is blessing in the rain. 
Laughing, dancing to the creek; 

And our precious Springs. 

Long the drouth has ruled the earth. 
And the fields are bare, 

Xow you come with joy and mirth. 
And your tender care. 

Vv"ater in this country is scarce, 

\\'ell5 are very lovr. 
You the hard earth will pierce. 

Falling sure and slow. 

Never was life's lesson taught. 

As in the falling rain. 
As the hand whom heaven wrought, 

To rule the hill and plain. 

God has left all things to us, 

In our simple care. 
We are stewards whom he trusts 

With life's rain to cheer. 



THE PRISONER'S APPEAL. 

Death means a life when ended — 

Living in these cells are worse ; 
Labor is only there befriended. 

Think in sorrow on the curse. 
Do you think the prisoner only 

Human. cattle or beast of prey? 
Thinking of his home so lonely — 

Doomed in miserv there to stav. 



In his prison cold and dim, 
Not a friendly voice is heard, 

Stern and liarsh. the ^^'''^''d al)out him, 
Bound and chained, a prison hird. 

O, tlie crime that he connnitted. 
Was it worthy of such death, 

And the hopes that were forfeited — 
Does he draw a pleasant breath? 

In a dream liis home lie seeth. 

While on the prison bunk he lies, 
And his humble soul feels freest, 

While his pravers mount to the skies. 
Home and friends, the bars of justice, 

Hold him a prisoner in their walls, 
Faithless friend in life you trusteth, 

Man is subject to many falls. 

Life for life, the world is deciding, 
Hands of justice are not kind ; 

While you are in their clutch abiding, 
Other tears may fall, but mine. 

Flowing from life's hidden treasure, 
What enjoyment can life give, 

In these cells, there is no pleasure; 

W'hat is life, that we should live. 
Hope, that anchor, sure and steady. 

Held aloft to those in pain ; 
In these cells, O, what a pity, 

Is there hope for those in chains. 
When he heard the judge's sentence, 

Sounding like a parting knell. 
It was too late for repentance — 

What of life, is there to tell. 

He that had a loving mother, 

And a sister kind and true. 
Knows the friendship of a brother. 

Find no other hands but you. 
Hands that make his life grow weary. 

Guarded by stout-hearted men. 
Looking in the future dreary, 

Thinking what shall be the end. 

Shall death with his icy fingers. 
Cut him down before his time, 



Or, in misery, there to lino^er. 

Until old a.^e in his cell shall find. 

Had it been my life they had taken. 
I would have forgiven them the crime, 

O, my heart is almost breaking^ — 
Is there justice any time? 

Justice, ah ! that name implieth. 

Is in the future for all. 
When the oppressor's hand that dieth. 

And he meets his awful fall. 
A\"arden. can you face that prisoner, 

Back bleeding- from g"ash and blow 
That you give for some misdemeanor. 

With a countenance firm ? Ah. no ! 

God has marked a path when ended. 

For the master, and the slave, 
O, the later ones befriended. 

All are equsrr in the grave. 
What in Iffe had been their mission, 

In the cell or warden's chair. 
They can never change position. 

He lives in pleasure. Death's near. 

Death the rich man's igreatest terror. 

Leaving all his wealth behind, 
It's only the prisoner's n^arrow 

Of the rest he is to find. 
Xo more can cruel hands buffet him. 

In that future sure but dim,. 
God has marked their path foi'ever. 

All must die, and even them. 



THANKSGIVING DAY. 

We are g-athered here, dear pupils. 

In this school to learn and pray, 
A.nd we will offer up our service 

To the Lord on Thanksgfiving Da- 
Ah. we thank Thee for Thv blessingf 

Thou has eiven us in this 3'ear. 
Many trials v.e have overcometh. 

Vrith thy help and with thy care. 

10 



Yes, \vc thank Thcc for Thv blcssinR, 

Iti the shadow of your love, 
And will turn our hearts from sinninj::, 

To the courts of God above. 
You have hccn with us at all times, 

When the clouds were dark or fair, 
Now we turn to Thee to worship. 

Hear Thy servant's humble prayer. 

Lord, we thank Thee for Thy harvest — 

All the fields of ripeninpj grain. 
Ah, we feel that Thou has blessed us, 

We do justly suffer pain. 
For those days of loving service, 

You have lead us with your hand — 
Been to us a gentle shepherd, 

Cared for us in every land. 

Lead us forward on forever, 

Let our work in future be, 
Guide us with Thy own protection, 

On the land, or on the sea. 
Lord, whc!i our great harvest is o'er, 

And we leave this day called life, 
Yes, prepare us for the coming, 

In this world of sin and strife. 



REMORSE OF AFTERWARDS. 

From this battlefield 

We shall soon depart, 
With a scarred and battered shield 

And a broken heart. 
If we should succeed or fail. 

Life is all the same, 
And shall justice prevail, 

And leave a fading name. 

Leaving life and present worth. 

What you might have been, 
Traveling bravely through the earth, 

And confronting sin. 
Sin the devil's mightiest tool. 

Binds the human soul ; 
This world is his to rule. 

Face him, strong and bold. 

11 



Although human weakness fails. 

Could we all succeed. 
Heaven itself would assail. 

Ever}' human deed. 
Konor. and success all depend 

On our training: here, 
^^ hen it's too late to mend — 

V.'hy shed briny tears. 

Coward men in after life. 

Think of what they might have been. 
As the voice in solemn strife 

Tries to stop the wind. 
A^Tiat is past, is past away — 

How the moments fly — 
Leading us on to the day 

^^*hen we are to die. 

We are children on this earth 

Learning even- day. 
Do we think of Adam's curse 

And that narrow way? 
Narrow, but too wide for sin 

To Uve and linger there. 
Straight is the way. God made for men 

Their hope is in humble prayer. 

Hope that anchor to the soul 

On this ocean wide. 
AMiile life's foaming billows roll 

Think who walks the tide. 
He neither slumbers, nor sleeps. 

While we are in his care 
He is one shepherd of all sheep. 

That never knoweth fear. 

He chained death to his chariot wheel 

On that final day. 
The conqueror of conqueror on that field 

To which we all should pray. 
Praise him for his loving strength 

While we linger here. 
Take him as a strong defense 

And a friend so dear. 



12 



PERSEPHONE OR FROM WINTER TO SPRING. 

In a vallry sweet with rtowors, 

IVrscphonc liad ^onc to play. 
Waikiii);; out aiuoi)^ the l)owors 

And she sanp the entire day. 
l.ifc is a dream unbroken 

And these flowers are so fair. 
Arc they to this earth a token, 

Could this lovely earth he iiarc? 

Stepping lightly like a snow-drift, 

Plays the daughter of earth's queen, 
As she walked among the cow-slips 

Fairest all the earth has seen 
Ah ! my daughter, O be careful 

On forbidden grotmd you tread 
And my heart for you feel fearful 

Look a moment just ahead. 

Hut those flowers, they have charmed her 
While she gathers without heed, 
Ades drives with lightning speed, 

Seize the maiden strong an(l steady : 
Rears her to the realms below, 

Leaving all the earth in pity, 
Klowers hate to see her go. 

Ades carried carried her down to brighten 

His dark kingdom with her care. 
And he felt his burden lighten — 

He could live, and have no fear. 
There was a law supreme forever 

Signed by Zeus hand besides, 
They that eat beyond the river 

vShould ever in that world abide. 

Tempting fruit they set before her 

That she would eat with them and stay. 
But the ones who brought such treasures. 

She would motion them aw'ay. 
Life has lost its greatest treasure 

Mother earth, and you alone 
I shall never eat below here, 

Until I reach my happy home. 

Mother Demeter was weeping 
Over hill and dell so wild. 
As daily her feet went creeping 

13 



Lost in sorrow for her child. 
Through the earth she sought in wonder 

For that noble little child, 
\\'ell she knew that Zeus' blunder 

Would be explained after awhile. 

Then earth's flowers faded and withered 

WTien they missed the hand they loved. 
It was far across the river 

Fathoms from the land above. 
Let old Zeus take his flower?, 

Guard them with his tender care, 
Xever shall earth feel my power, 

Until I find my daughter dear. 

At these solemn words the flowers 

Heard her voice, and dropped their head. 
Every moment seemed an hour. 

The whole earth was bare and dead. 
Fields once ripe with flushing grain. 

Was now sear, and brown, and bare. 
While her mother's heart in pain 

Longing for her daughter fair. 

Xow Old Ades swift and dashing 

Sent a sen ant to the land 
Like a bolt of lightning flashing 
To find a charm that would v.ork grand 
In his hand when he returned 

A pomegrate from her home. 
And her loving heart did yearn 

And her thoughts did homeward turn. 

Te:r_c:ation has overcome her, 

---s :he pomegrate passed her lips, 
S/.e vas struck \\'ith awe and wonder, 

S: "■ as unprepared for the trip. 
But. aias for that young maiden, 

Ir. her mouth the mosles lay 
Tl.z:. :.'.z messenger was planning 

How he should take here away. 

Zeus then was moved with pity 
Seated on his mountain throne, 

Looking from OljTnpus Cit\- 
Pesephone shall return home. 

14 



Mother these conditions arc dearly 
It is thus against yotir pride 

Half the time your daujjhtcr yearly 
Shall in tlie upper world abide. 



THE ADVENT OF CHRIST. 

In tiic soiciun rcig^n of Caesar, 

When Old Italy's heart was free, 
And the Roman hand was ruling^ 

From the mountain to the sea. 
Within the land of Judea 

A sudden lifjht appeared. 
It was the hand of Jesus 

Whose advent was near. 

For years that holy promise 

To Israel had been held. 
The mip^hty God of Justice, 

His power should be felt. 
The promise had ended, 

When Christ their maker came 
Those words in accent shouted 

From mountain unto plain. 

The shepherds on the distant hill. 

While vig^ilant watch did keep 
They heard a voice, fear not, be still. 

He searches for his sheep. 
For in the City of Bethlehem 

Vour long^ sought treasure lives; 
Let all hearts freely receive him 

And homage to him gfive. 

The wise men from the distant east 

Came riding from afar, 
And thinkingf of the Prince of Peace, 

While s^uided by a star. 
They came to see the holy king^ 

Within His humble birth, 
And thinking of the mijjhty things 

When he should rule the earth. 



16 



EUROPEAN TROUBLE. 

From t:.- ::-:?.nt land across the sea, 

A dreadiui sound is heard 
The nations fi^ting^ fierce and free, 

No thougiit of a peaceful word. 
The one who lead the world in trade. 

In wealth and commerce 
Pray to the Lord who mercy made 

To send peace to the earth. 

Your sons in battle, must they die. 

Their native land to hold. 
And in the cold earth to lie. 

In a silent lon^ repose. 
Amid the strife of life and death 

Nor shall ve die in vain. 
For nations with one solemn breath 

Will shout and praise your name. 

The fatherless children who are left 

To cry and mourn for bread. 
The widcived wives who are bereft 

Tl:eir lives are death instead. 
Their husbands died upon the field 

To save their sacred name. 
This is a wound that will not heal, 

Althou^ it causes pain. 

But hear the mothers tell their sons. 

Your nation is in need : 
They tell of many battles won; 

To inspire them indeed. 
When they g^o to the battle's front 

To conquor or to die. 
They bravely stand war's dreadful brunt 

Like men. and will not sig^h. 

George V, the noble English king. 

Who _ : : : : r Belgian's right. 
The whole \\ ond, shall praises sing. 

If you should gain the fight. 
The Russian Ruler statmch and bold. 

Like Peter, Oh the Great, 
Seems to be one man with a soul. 

In spite of all the fates. 

16 



And Poncairc of sacrod France, 

His work was riRlitly done, 
When Cferniany in a great advance, 

Am awful defeat she won. 
Kenicniher I''rancc*s sacred name, 

A comrade once in arms, 
Ard think in silent of Kafavcttc's fame, 

And how he stood the storm. 

O soldier Iwy, O mother's pride. 

Is this the end of such. 
Who left the family fireside 

When the nation's pride was touched, 
To lie upon the hloody field, 

A lifeless mass of clay. 
And at that stirring^ bugle peal 

Steel mistles swept their way. 

No thought was there of dastard flight 

Or wish to leave the fray, 
Only the corpse, a ghastly sight, 

Where artillery swept its way. 
O what is war. that we should fight, 

To lose our lives and homes, 
And leave this world a helpless sight 

While our wives and children roam. 

Let every nation think before 

A declaration of war is signed, 
Think of the misery in store 

That war is sure to find. 
For war even in its mildest state 

Is everything but kind. 
It only spreads misery, and hate, 

And has done every time. 

But God has said that war shall be 

As long as time shall last. 
Can we change Heaven's holy decree. 

That has been in ih'^ past. 
And love alone shall teach the world 

That brotherhood's the best. 
Until the time of heaven's herald 

There is no time for war to rest. 

For war is war, and after all 

Who causeth war to reign, 
It is the humble ones who fall, 

17 



The rich man's wealth to g^ain. 
Through war we learn to value peace, 

When others fail to tell, 
We want that turmoil all to cease, 

And lono^ to hear all's well. 

Look not upon the power grained 

Throug^h misery and strife, 
Think of the hearts that ache with pain 

And the afterwards of life 
Who was the one whose promise has been g^iven 

Blessed be the peacemaker, 
Throug-hout all the earth. 

This promise is of heaven. 



A COMPARISON. 

Out from the noisy city. 

Surrounded by hills and trees, 
One of a solemn committee 

With the flowers that float on the breeze, 
If life was compared to a flower, 

I wonder whose life is the best; 
One receives the early Spring flowers, 

The other life solemn contest. 

The hills. Ah, think of their beauty. 

They stand out in noble array, 
And look like speakers addressing 

All who pass by their way. 
Without them where is the beauty 

We see in the distant afar; 
Thinking of life as a duty. 

As we gaze on the evening star. 

Our lives are like stars i nthe distance 

That rises, and sinks like the sun. 
Who finds the greatest resistance 

And strives till his work is done. 
Is worthy of praise for his striving 

Even though he has tried once and failed 
It should be a lesson to enliven 

As the rays from the sun are veiled. 

18 



The darkest of niB:ht is the hour 

Just before tlie dawninj* of day; 
The time when we know there is power 

Is time for our scepters sway; 
If wc were a preat houndinjf river, 

That runs from the land to the sea, 
How quick we would return to our ffivcr, 

But no such mortals arc we. 

If we were the stars of the evening^, 

Would we be contented to shine. 
Every object on earth is belicvinjj^, 

Though man is composed of a mind; 
His mind is a dark shadowed dwelling 

And his heart is a place to deceive 
And often the words he is tellinjj 

In only his thoughts on the breeze. 

Only his thoughts, O how thoughtless 

He drives them like chaff on the wind; 
Even his life is so froughtless 

He is praised by the children of men. 
They praise him while even his darkness 

Is hid from the world's view; 
Although his heart is of harshness 

What care if the world thinks he is true. 

Life is composed of sweet dreaming; 

How many shall be realized? 
Then when we learn the meaning, 

How dark is the cloud in the sky. 
H we were children still learning. 

That we are weak at our best. 
How quick would our careless lights burning, 

Teach us to look for true rest. 

Rest means to cease from all labor 

When we have finished our part, 
If you were kind to your neighbor. 

Why leave such wounds in his heart. 
Comparing our lives to a mountain. 

That others have tried to ascend. 
Thinking at last of the fountain 

Where we shall meet in the end. 

The clouds, who in darkness are hiding. 

The rays of our sun and its hopes. 
While u«* nre here abiding 

19 



In strength are we equal to cope — 
Able to cope with the others 

While there are chances to chano^e. 
Holdino^ the hand of a brother 

And never thinkin,s: it strangle. 

While he is weak, heavy laden. 

Borne down with sorrow and grief. 
\\"ould not vour heart quietlv gladden 

If you could bring their relief? 
Onlv a cold drink of water. 

Give to the prisoner in pain 
Straighten the steps of a daughter — 

How can vour life be vain. 

Vain are the lives who are seeking 

That others mav fall in the land. 
Just as the ones who are speaking 

Won't give a helping hand. 
\'irtue and truth are the banner. 

We .place our neighbor to weigh. 
What is the answer, and manner. 

If we are summoned today. 



SHORTNESS OF LIFE. 

You know vour time is brief. 

Who shall come to your relief 
W^hen you spend your time in dancing 

And the worthless world of fancies? 

Man was born for peace or woe, 

In the road to folly go 
O refrain from this young man. 

Follow not the earthly plan. 

You need no other's sign or token. 

All thev sav is quite provoking. 
As you love to follow fashion 

You are enti,vined in sin and passion. 

Look out on life's rugged plain 
\\'ould we live our lives again : 

Would we not without disgrace 
Turn to Tesus* smiling face. 

20 



Stand by mc forever, 

Death's dark mist shall gather. 
Have you placed a trust iu Christ, 

Do you seek eternal life. 



THE BEAUTIFUL STARS. 

Stars, stars, beautiful stars, 

Shining: into space afar. 
Like a dutiful sentry keep 

Silent gruard while earth's asleep. 
Dancinpf. sparkling: like a liijht, 

Ruler of the cloudless nigjht. 

Earthly king^s in pomp and pride. 
In their autos swiftly ride 

But they know no freedom thus 
Like the stars the ang:els trust. 

Even starlijjht in the fall 
Is a blessing: after all. 

Ah. even winter, chill and bare, 
When the frost is in the air. 

When the weather's damp and cold, 
How the stars race to the g:oal ; 

Peaceful g:uards of every one. 
Till their work on earth is done. 

They shine on the infant very small. 

Has no thoug:ht of sin at all. 
Shines on the soldier on the field. 

Who must face the cruel steel ; 
Silent thoug:h the stars may be 

But their silence seems to see. 

In Spring: the flowers come up to know 
Why the stars are shining: so. 
All of nature seem to say. 
Stars shall rule the nig:ht like day. 

In the festival dancing: hall 
Where the tempter loudly calls. 

Will the stars forever reig:n. 

Like the riders of the plain. 
If the clouds hide them from view 

21 



Will they shine for hearts that are true, 
Pure and true as angels are — 
Do you wish to be a star. 

Shines long after life is o'er 

On a bright and better shore. 
Let thy work for ever be; 

Prepare for life and eternity 
That space beyond are life and death, 

Where no one return to breath. 

In that awful, great beyond 
Who would inter on man's bond 

Save him from cruel and endless pain, 
Connect the link and make a chain; 

Was Christ not the morning star, 
Safely crossed death's dreadful bar. 

Stars, stars, O precious stars, 
Would you fill man's vain desire 

If you were the ruling fates 

Would you teach his heart to hate 

Why the stars are froth with care 
When they hold our lives so dear. 

How a star may rule our life 

In the turmoil and strife, 
Then we find experience shall pay 

If not bought too dear, we say. 
Give we life, an ocean wide 

With the starlight by my side. 

Upon which my boat shall sail 

I will try, if I fail. 
Life is ruled by stars above 

Giving choice of hate or love. 
Leaving all like winter bare 

With the starlight in the air. 

When the summer sun is warm, 
And the stars shine on the corn, 

In the evening when the soil 
Cease from moving by man's toil. 

When man from his labor go 
You are playing to and fro. 

22 



Stars shoot and seem to play 
Like the ball teams of today, 

Flyinj? through the elements 
W'itli a heart that is content, 

Let those stars forever shine 
Like the suhstance of the mind. 

Let us live forever free. 
On the land or on the sea. 

Give us peace within the grave, 
Rather than a thoughtless slave. 

For a star is with us all 
In our last, and final fall. 



THE LIVING TORCH. 

If I had known thy silent face 

Would haunt me, day by day; 
How could I speak in such short space 

And we were on life's way. 
The light in darkness shall it hide, 

That no more light we see, 
And in this pleasant world abide 

Without a hope of thee. 

The stars mav keep their silent watch, 

The sun looks down and shine ; 
You are a star, a living torch; 

I dare not hope be mine. 
O. would the light of heaven shine 

Into your lovely heart, 
Would it have power to change your mind 

Or even make the start. 

If we had never met that day. 

How could the truth be known ; 
Love is that debt, we all should pay. 

Be virtues worth, alone — 
Take every hope awav from life 

Or those who are sinking drown 
Amid the turmoil and rife 

With hope, or fear or frown. 

28 



If we are enemies or friends, 

What shall the future be, 
We all should strive to reach that end 

A life we love is free. 
A life without its cares we know. 

Supreme in every heart, 
A plant of love which thrives and grow; 

Cultivated by Dan Cupid Art. 

God in his wisdom from above 

Looked down on fallen man, 
He blessed them with a woman's love. 

She was in heaven's plan. 
So if by woman I've been deceived 

Such heart as yours are true 
You are an honest one I do believe, 

And one among the few. 

All objections living on earth 

Has only a time to reign 
The voice that light the stage with mirth 

Is silent just the same. 
So life is short, enjoy it well. 

Through other hearts may bleed 
O could the saints of heaven tell. 

What love a true heart need. 

Within this life how brief it seems. 

The pain we do endure. 
Between life chilly flowing streams 

Our way is all but sure. 
Faithful as light, which rule the day, 

What distant can there be 
Between us on life's solemn way. 

Ah, could the truth we see. 

And see the night before the day, 

The day before it comes. 
And know the debts we have to pay, 

Before this race we run. 
If life was ours and ours at length. 

To do what ere we choose 
How soon is all our labor spent 

And then a long repose. 



24 



REPOSE. 

It comes to call the son of man 

Who toil and labor here 
Off from this dreadful bar of sand 

To misery, or to cheer. 
Let not thv treasure be unworth 

The one thy love shall claim. 
Be faithful traveling through this earth 

Except your life be vain. 



LOOKING BEYOND. 

Let me look beyond this billow. 

Neath this strug^gle here of life; 
And this earth's not downy pillow 

While we are battling in this strife, 
See beyond the vales of mystery; 

Failures there. as dark as night 
He that struggles on and upward, 

Battles for the just and right. 

See beyond the present struggle 

Battle over victory won, 
Just as labor in the morning 

When their work has just begun, 
When the storms of life are raging 

And thy soul is sorely stressed, 
Look bevond the surging billows 

To him that always knows the best. 

Knows the end, from the beginning, 

Marks the fall before the rise, 
Has his height above in heaven, 

Depths beneath the lowest sky. 
Broader than the vast creation, 

Truest of the sons of men. 
Even one who stills the ocean 

And is known to cleanse man's sin. 

WTiile we know that life is fleeting, 

Every step we higher go. 
And reach the height where those who struggle 

Can be happy, and free from woe. 

26 



< 



Look up to that mountain lofty, 

Far beyond your present stand, 

To the heig^ht where God has promised 

Should be held by righteous man. 

Let me see if life is worthy 

Of the blessiujs^s God can ^ive, 
When he showed the way to heaven 

He surely taught us how to live. 
Let life be a shining meteor, 

Every storm for better comes, 
Then let us remember truly. 

Life is a strug'g'le, heaven is our home. 



A FADING DREAM. 

Like a dream when I awake 

Flies the memories of time. 
Leaving a sad heart to break 

And no silver bells to chime. 
O, how sweet is death a balm, 

For all sorrows and their ills. 
Leaving- earth still and calm, 

And our life a tempest still. 

In each lovely hand we hold 

Think not of its price at length; 
What is left a heartless soul. 

Weakness there instead of strength. 
Precious the g-ems may be 

In the roughest earthly cast, 
Like the face we plainly see. 

Is not the picture in the g^lass. 

O, the gfuises men do wear 

To obtain their desired end; 
What is to us so fair 

As to have a precious friend. 
Precious to our loving care 

If they stand by us alone 
To wipe awav the burning tear. 

Standing bv us firm, like stone. 



26 



LIKE THE ENDING OF A DREAM. 

Who shall tcll me of this lesson 

Often studied alone ; 
Of the many precious i)lessinjijs 

God has spared me for my own. 
In the sprinjj of flowers 

When the roses were so red; 
You blessed them with your showers 

And they raised their drnoplng head. 

When I was so small and weakly, 

You held me in your tender care, 
May my rebellious soul ^row weekly, 

Through the unseen coming^ year. 
Every battle kills our soldiers; 

When this lesson we repeat 
Should onlv serve to make us bolder — 

Never think once of defeat. 

Now the years before me seeming^ 

Like a book that I have read, 
Am I dreaming, only dreaming^; 

And this dream T seem to dread. 
Wake me from this lonely slumber, 

While I have a chance to changje, 
Before I reach that silent number 

And my form is cold and strangle. 

Friends around me all in wonder 

If a worker I shall be — 
If I fail or make a blunder 

There are chances yet for me. 
Thev have told me all vocations. 

They are filled, no room at all. 
I shall find an occupation 

And will follow, though I fall. 

Should the future be so dreary 

I will never fail to climb. 
Never on this road grow weary 

Amid the tempest or the calm. 
Fallen leaves are sure a token 

That the year shall make a change. 
Hearts that once were sorely broken. 

They are cold, and is it is strange. 



27 



Hark ! I hear the chilly waters, 

Rushing in upon the deck 
Is this one of earth fallen daug^hters, 

Sinkino^ down beneath the wreck. 
Cold the day and dark and dreary 

And the future is unseen ; 
Stru^o^le onward, be not weary, 

Life is labor, not a dream. 

Life is a stru^^le, O behold it ; 

See the faulting ones who fall; 
There is the path of life who g^oes it. 

Hear the leader's cheering^ call. 
Let me see before this battle 

Who is victor in the fig:ht. 
As the flying- missies rattle 

God protect the weak and ri^ht. 

When our life on earth is ended 

And we face the g^rand review. 
And the strongest hand we lended 

Helps to conquor and be true. 
Help us o'er the stormy ocean 

Facing perils we have not seen 
W^ith a heart of true devotion 

Like the ending of a dream. 



WINTER. 

The cold, frosty w^inter is coming- this way, 
To give us his scepter of ice to hold sway; 
With a heart that is cheerful and light. 
He brings frosty m.orning, and long v.-inter nights 
The summer has faded to warm autumn fair 
The sun is going southward, the frost in the air. 

Will come to our district with his burning brand 
And will leave fields brown where he takes a stand. 
The frost is a servant; it comes every year; 
Wherever you are, yearly it conies, do not fear. 
This summer we were blessed with plenty of rain, 
But soon there'll be frost on the window pane. 

28 



The cold frosty winter is now on the wing:, 

He comes with a shrill blast to whistle and sing;; 

He comes to the southland so hold .ind free 

And rustle the branches on the leafless tree. 

The nights will soon lengthen, the eveninjf l)e cool, 

While troopin|2[ and playing;, the children from school. 

Recited their lessons and entered the air. 
While passing; the fields that are sear and bare. 
The flowers cease blooming, the spring;time's o'er, 
The spring; birds have flown to warmer shores, 
While winter shall come with blast and chill, 
He will search the mountain, valley and hill. 

Prepare for the winter, we know it will come. 
Those j^iants in forest are silent and dumb. 
And cold is the day, when to labor we g;o, 
Often at nig;ht to return throug;h the snow. 
.\nd seeking; the shelter of our pleasant fires, 
Walking; on homeward, led by a star. 

The summer is silent, it's past from the stag;e. 

While the long; rainy evening;, the children are cag;ed, 

They feel like prisoners confined in a cell, 

The time is spent, in the story they tell. 

They talk of summer when flowers were g;ay. 

And what they have seen, and met on their way. 

Our lives have their summer, it's fall and chill. 

But all throug:h the tempest, the Maker is still 

Leading; us onward, and strai8;ht to the goal. 

Think of the future, and peace to thy soul. 

Trust and g;o forward, the future is veiled, 

Though God has sure promised that right can not fail. 



THE READING FLOWER. 

In a classroom, seated graceful, just a few seats 
from mv own. 

There is the sweetest flower growing. 
That the air has ever blown. 

Loveliest of the latest flowers 
Blooming in the latest fall. 

Blessed with care and early showers 
Growing, growing, after all. 

29 



All alone, and almost dreaming^, 

Like a flower when in bloom, 
Oh this lesson is only seemin,8[ 

Roses have their own perfume. 
Choicest flower from earth's' garden, 

One to whom we have plead in vain. 
Can it be her heart has hardened 

Will she smile upon our pain. 

If amid your studies daily, 

You a hero would approve, 
Could it be that you would listen 

And your heart with pity move. 
No, your heart is not to trifle, 

Such a little favor g^ive 
As those words she quietly stifled, 

Who will teach us how to live. 

Life can never be a charm — 

O, could I just see the end, 
Find you leanino^ on strong arms 

As the truest of true friends. 
W^hat is friendship, who can say 

What it is to those possessed. 
It's only the plainest way 

For us all to do our best. 

Flower give thy sweet perfume, 

Like a rose bud to the air 
Knowing that your life so soon, 

Will be gone beyond repair. 
Where no traveler can return 

With pleasant life betw^een. 
And a heart that always yearns. 

Truth shall live, the best must die. 

Said the teacher and the sage. 
And a flower with a sigh 

Soon shall leave its earthly stage. 
Onward ! Onword go, be free ! 

Never stoop to serve vile man. 
Only truthful to life be, 

Are you part of heaven's plan? 



^0 



A TELESCOPIC VIEW. 

I looked upon a sp.icious field, 

I saw so much to do, 
The future is liard, and cruel as steel. 

What makes our lives be true. 
Is our lives what thcv could have been 

Hail ever we made a change 
Among the crowded marts of sin. 

Our lives are dark and strange. 

This telescope before my eyes, 

I looked upon the field ; 
A wound in life to my surprise 

And one tliat cannot heal. 
The day is past, and time is gone, 

Another stand to take. 
While fleeting vears pass swiftly on, 

Why live for another sake. 

O life, that precious gift of God 

Is this the end of such; 
Whose faulting hopes are in the sod, 

Those whom his finger has not touched. 

life, and living bid mc stand 
And take survey of life; 

Who is that comes at God's command, 
In sorrow filled with rife. 

1 looked upon this field again ; 
What was it to behold. 

Whv life is more than toil or pain 

We have a living soul. 
O, life with all your pains and woes, 

When we must lay thee down ; 
W'e find death the greatest of all foes 

And meet him with a frown. 

O, faithless soul what means this stay, 

So brief on earth to live. 
How soon our hopes all fly away. 

No other hopes may give. 
The field is large, the work is great, 

How can we do our part. 
And, set to work, and not to hate, 

With true and willing heart. 

31 



The harvest sun is settinof fast, 

The nig-ht is hurn-ing- down; 
This day of grace may be the last, 

Then shadows gather around, 
The soul who trusteth God to lead 

Shall never go astray. 
\\"ho is the one in heaven heed 

And lives to work life's day. 

O life, so strange as well as brief, 

Have we a choice at hand? 
Death means the end who find relief, 

\\'hose soul God does command. 
Faith in a cause then do your part 

In time when you are assailed. 
It takes a man with a strong heart 

As often as we fail. 



PURE THOUOHTS. 

Pure thoughts live silently to please 

And float upon the passing breeze, 
Whose noble hopes are never dim ; 

"Who love God and their fellow men, 
A heart that's pure, will choose its thoughts 

And love the work which God has wrought 
Their conversation every day. 

Are gems of life, found on the way. 

Their lives are like a flower fair 

That glisten in the morning air, 
Or like the blessing of a rain 

No way. in life is over plain 
They look not on an evil side 

Xor with an evil heart abide 
Such life is by its Maker blessed 

Who guard his thought and does his best. 

Look in some face and judge the while 

Whose face shows innocence of guile. 
Those noble countenances truly stand. 

And prove himself a Godly man, 
O is it sad that we must die 

Our thoughts live on, now reason w^hy. 
Because if they are pure and bright 

They help the world to all do right. 

32 



Now, if our thoughts are shadowed ones 

They cause a mist, and cloud our sun ; 
And leave this earth a dreary home 

And man in misery to roam. 
Our lives are fashioned in its thought, 

Then the greatest work is wrought. 
When Christ the scepter of our mind 

Takes hold and rules witli hand divine. 

Thought forms an impression on our lace, 

It may he marred, but not erased. 
It has assumed a station there, 

Be it of pleasure or despair. 
Such tlioughts we read as plain as day 

In all our brothers of the clay. 
Our lives arc what arc thought may be 

A boundless ocean, though not free. 

O. maiden with those dark brown eyes, 

Whose life may be a grand surprise; 
Look not on life as others say, 

But guard your thought and live to pray, 
Now youth with strength, God spared to give, 

Your life is yours and yours to live. 
Those thoughts may rise up in your breast, 

Trust you in God, and do your best. 

Pure thought alone will a man 

In touch with heaven's plan 
Who set his heart to guard his words 

A higher voice than man has heard. 
O fruitful tree, or man of trust 

To guard your thought in life you must. 
You must not say, O, I forgot, 

And leave upon your soul a blot. 

For God has set a date above 

And signed it with his greatest love. 
Our heart from him how can we turn 

While heaven for our soul do yearn. 
Pure thought, and lives are what we need 

For life to some^is dark indeed. 
And O, the form with head of frost 

Tells to us what his thoughts have cost. 



83 



A VISION. 

I sat within a g^loomy room, 

And day was fading fast, 
The nig^ht was coming on soon, 

Its shadow then were cast. 
The shadow left me in despair. 

Why thought of life is strang-e, 
Then looking in the future there 

My heart was pierced with pain. 

I saw before an awful field 

Where man must strive to live, 
Prepare for life, put on the shield, 

That only God can g"ive. 
I saw beyond a gloomy screen 

The future map unfold, 
And looking fearful on the scene, 

My heart was chilly cold. 

Youn^ people, I sav look ahead. 

The future is for you ; 
The way of life on which you tread 

Is everything^ but true. 
The past leaves no memories in sigjht, 

The present is so g^rand. 
But take the road and know it's rigjht, 

And firmly on it stand. 

The tempter, and the tempest too. 

May blow upon your soul, 
God is the pilot of the crew, 

His word is more valuable than g^old. 
The map before me made a chang^e, 

I saw another veil, 
I looked and lo, it was so arrang^ed, 

I trembled and turned pale. 

I looked, and lo, what did I see ! 

My vision was it so, 
The bound in life w^as nobly free. 

The wicked faced their foe. 
The victor and vanquished, too, 

Were equal on that plain. 
The ones in life whose love was true 

Whose heart was firm and sane. 



34 



At last when wakiti);: from this dream, 

I viewed mv life to sec, 
The mighty things that are between 

My life and victory. 
The glass reflected in my light 

And l)id nic pause to look, 
The (lav may change into the night. 

But, O life's but a book. 

A book to read though not explained, 

A memory to uphold, 
Whose vivid word has caused us pain 

Who struggle to the goal. 
O strive to make the best of life. 

While life to us is given, 
A moment we are the strife, 

The next at peace in heaven. 



THE SNOWSTORM. 

The snowstorm is here with its cool evening breeze 

The air has made a change; 
Look out upon the leafless tree 

And don"t think them strange. 
The night was dark before the snow 

Had fallen on the ground. 
And see it dancing to and frovv, 

As it covers all the town. 

The children are gay, with spirit of fun, 

They love this time of year. 
The ground is too slick to play and run, 

Take heart and be of good cheer. 
Ah, the snow as it falls from the sky, 

Beautiful gems so lovely and fair, 
Look. O, the schoolboys' spirits are high, 

While passing snowballs through the air. 

The snow is falling very fast. 

The air is damp and cool. 
The scepter of the summer's past 

And we are all in school. 
The flowers have faded, the leaves are all dead, 

The snow on earth abides. 
And soon we all mav use our sled. 

To have a pleasant ride. 

36 



The snow is beautiful as it falls from above 

White as an^el, and ,^litterino^ like love; 
vSnow is only a blessing;-, don't look on and frown, 

It's winter's white mantel and earth's noble crown ; 
Look at the flakes as they scamper and play, 

Falling a moment in silence to lay, 
Although this day is gloomy and dark, 

Look at the snow flakes, they are falling like sparks. 

The snow has the scepter, he rides on the wind, 

He comes with gush and blast, 
He comes from the north pole, he's a laps friend, 

To blow off the useless chaff. 
Grieve not for flowers, they come in their time ; 

Winter is the father of snow. 
Look on the hill-tops, they glisten and shine, 

The entire crown is lovely, we know. 

Days, years and winters may pass over 3^our head, 

This path w^e shall travel no more, 
And if we are humble and could only be led. 

How much better we could feel on life's shore. 
Our hearts, are like snow in its cold chilly state. 

Our minds are like castles so high, 
And when we are tested and handled by fate. 

We stumble, fall and must die. 



WHY WE SHOULD GO TO SUNDAY SCHOOL. 

Why should we go to Sunday school, 

Said a thoughtful boy one day; 
Is it the place we learn the rule 

In after years will pay. 
Six days God gives us for our plans. 

The seventh is his own. 
And we the foolish son of man 

Refuse his grace alone. 

Why should we go to Sunday school, 

Instead of off to play; 
Who makes our lives a golden rule 

Except we learn to pray. 

36 



Why should our pleasure l)c forgot, 
Our mind in earnest thought. 

Don't stay at home to plan and plot 
Of what our lives are not. 

Those Imic children nuist be led. 

So tender and so young; 
(lO to my lamhs, they must he fed. 

From which my sheep has sprung. 
Where is the future church to stand, 

Except from Sunday school. 
Those little children are the plan 

By which Christ seemed to rule. 

The prisoner at the judgment bar, 

When questioned by the judge, 
Had found upon his life a scar. 

Deeper than any word. 
A misspent hour on Sabbath day 

Had brought him to his crime 
And now this debt he'll justly pay, 

On the frowning wheel of time. 

O Sabbath day, O Sabbath day. 

And one for every soul ; 
Our hopes may fade, and pass away, 

But not our Sabbath roll. 
Essential to our life at length, 

Where we were on Sabbath day. 
And every moment we have spent, 

And what shall be our pay. 



THE CHANGE OF TREE FROM WINTER TO SPRING. 

A month ago the trees were bare. 

The hills like a sentinel stood, 
The boisterous wind and chilly air 

Was everything but good. 
The earth was in its silent sleep. 

No sign of life appeared; 
No grass above the ground did creep. 

The birds were all that cheered. 

87 



Tbadt chstamfr tidggc ia siksBt f^ooBBi,, 
Was sttandiB^ in itts place, 

Tjwnfcs tEBoe a dBanot lately fgjsvKtsBtoA^ 
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What is ^Be dbsm^ffc,, win can <'^gt«fa«« 
Itxcgpfl. in a Imi^glBei' pfian. 

We wflDdes* as me snl^r fiain„ 



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3S 



STARLIGHT. 

My Starlijjlit has from me departed, 
And her voice on earth has ceased, 

For the Lord has spoke in heaven, 
And bid her eternal peace. 

She was bright as earthly morninj?. 
Sweet, and loved as morning dew, 

She was loved among the many — 
She was pure among the few. 

Bright and glorious were the promise 
You had made her day by day. 

And when to her your heart was given, 
God called her home, across the way. 

Ah ! her dav was briefly broken, 
Filled with pain and not with sin, 

Yes, we have a glorious promise 
VVe shall meet and live again. 

She is free from anger and from sorrow, 
Free from earthly pains and strife, 

She has gone to live in heaven, 
In a pure and better life. 

Dear friends you shall see your dear ones, 
When this earthly day is fled. 

She is only quietly sleeping, 
And her soul cannot be dead. 



THE MOUNTAIN CUMBER. 

In the valley I behold him, 

Where his steps are crowded there. 
He has started to the mountain. 

There the world looks to him fair. 
I desire to top that mountain 

Where few men have only stood, 
While I am traveling in this valley, 

Let me struggle to be good. 

While the world is gathering around him 
And pleading for him to stay, 

39 



Ah, his mind is on that mountain 
He shall reach the top some day. 

Then they point their hands in triumph 
To that path so hig-h and steep 

Before you ever top that mountain 
You are sure to fall asleep. 

Let me fail within this effort, 

Only I shall try again. 
I am crowded here, he murmurs, 

In this valley filled with sin. 
And this path is long and dreary. 

vShould it be the will of God 
Before I ever top that mountain 

I should sleep beneath the sod. 

If I fail, his pale lips faltered, 

From his breast escaped a sigh, 
I shall never think about it, 

I will reach the top or die. 
Bravely on the path he started 

With a firm, determined face. 
He is never once half-hearted, 

He will climb with heaven's grace. 

I behold him leave the valley. 

At the mountain foot he stands, 
As he grasps his alpine firmly 

With a firm, determined hand — 
Others climbed this lofty mountain ; 

What by man has once been tried 
Can be accomplished by another — 

I shall reach the top or die. 

Then he turns and struggles upward, 

Though the path is rugged there, 
Slowly on, his feet are bleeding. 

While the valley is in despair ; 
He is falling, some one shouted. 

But is up with one quick bound. 
I can't reach it in a day, friends. 

But I shall climb it round by round. 

After days of weary travels, 

And long nights of earthly pain, 

Stands he on the topmost ladder. 
Looking bravely to the plain. 

40 



I was crowded in that valley, 

Where companion canic too soon, 

Now mv effort toppe<l the mountain 
And I find there plenty room. 

Raised he up a shuiminsf mntto, 

Saw hy friends and foes alike. 
He that once desires to conquer 

Must never on his steps look hack. 
Pressing: forward, on and upward, 

Be this motto to thy soul, 
I will climb this earthly mountain; 

On its top I shall find my goal. 

On that mountain hi^h and lofty 

Stands the climber, staunch and brave, 
With his head so white and frosty, 

Looking: like a kinjj so g^rave. 
Looking: backward down the mountain 

On that longf and dreary strand. 
Drinking: freely from the fountain 

Was prepared for fallen man. 



LOVE'S CHOICE- A SONG. 

Give me sprinjjtime without flowers, 

But not a heart without love. 
Here our g:reat harvest needs showers 

Blessed from the hand up above. 
Love in this life which we cherish 

Hope a.2:ainst fate is in vain ; 
Altho our hopes in life perish. 

Pass like the sunshine or rain. 

Then from our paths we are g:leaning^ 

Flowers as well as the thorns. 
While earthly hopes quietly streaming:. 

So soon to lead us to harm. 
The path we have traveled seems dreary, 

Future as dark as the nig:ht. 
When with our life we feel wear>', 

Who then will bring: us the lig:ht? 

Brave all the darkness as duty. 

Call it a part of your life. 
And in the end, how the heauty 

41 



Shines from the struo^o^Ie with strife. 
And while the contest seems tr>-ing, 

Soldiers and comrades may fall. 
Many in battle are dying. 

Enter the contest, that's all. 

Give me the world without sunlight. 

But not a heart without care. 
All in this world is the one light, 

Reigneth and ruleth the year. 
And then at last when life's ended 

And our passed life we behold 
^^'ho in this world we have befriended 

Just as we cross the goal. 



LITTLE DRIFF. 

Little brown dog, with spirit gay. 

Jumping, playintr every day. 
Running races with Sport; 

Life to him is but a court- 
In this court of pleasure bright 
Plays from morning imtil night. 

Little brown feet, our tin\- hands 
Always digging in the sand. 

Or, after Sport in a hard chase. 
And sometimes beats him in the race. 

A merry streak of passing light; 
A little pup, but he's a sight. 

He has the sharpest little ears — 
Nothing happens he does not hear. 

At daytime, playful little sprite, 

A mighty guard dog he is at ni^t 

He's a sentinel placed on duty, 
\\"hy, this DriflF is sure a beauty. 

A\"hen no other sound is heard 
He will bark without a word; 

Frisk about and run and play; 
Always happy, always gay. 

In the flowers he will run 
Just to finish up his fun, 

42 



I THE THOUGHTS OF A STRANGER. 

We have met as stran^iers in this church, 

Like cooinfif doves upon their perch, 
I met you, niy hc.Trt wouhl you truly entwine. 

There is hope of a future, but no hope is mine. 
Our hves when bejjinninjj were set far apart. 

But who knows the lessons that arc read in the heart; 
Ah, who knows the future that's by heaven veiled? 

If we knew our weakness, how then could we fail? 

Those beautiful tresses the raven would claim; 

The hope of a true love, a future or name 
Could bid us remember that strang^ers are we. 

The care of a master, the hope of the free, 
And when we renieml)er how brief are our lives 

The toils that confront us, the misery and strife; 
Then let us remember our lives are but one; 

It blooms in the shadow and fades in the sun. 

Go forth and remember, my treasure's above, 

The Master has spared me no one here to love. 
The first was a treasure, a sweet earthly dream, 

But what was the end, and where now is my queen? 
She vanished like snow in the midst of a fire; 

Ah, like the last glimpse of the bright morning^ star; 
The second, that hope that our lives should be one, 

Her race was soon ended, and mine just beg^n. 

The third was a fairv, I soug:ht for her care, 

I met her, loved, and lost in a year. 
For life is a contest, and love is a dream. 

With cold, frostv winters, that frown there between. 
Between things that is present, and things of the past. 

The shadow before me so gloomy was cast. 
This shadow continued so long in mv sight, 

Xow fades from mv memory and Icaveth no light. 

For we are the children, to which life was given. 

To toss on its billows, until we were in heaven. 
I hope your life happy, your future so bright. 

With never a shadow to darken the light. 
But happiness sought for is never attained; 

It comes like the sun ravs at the close of a rain ; 
Tt comes, but won't linger in darkness or grief; 

It makes some hearts cheerful, brings others relief. 

43 



You gave me this flower, then took it away. 
And left my heart wounded, forever to stay. 

Xo care for ihat fragrant you sou^^ht to refine- 
There is hope in your future, but no hope is mine. 

Xo h<^)et in the present though love to embrace. 
I wish to be present, to enter the race. 

I think that race I (mly can win 

If I could be present when it would begin. 
****** 

I think as a runner, and you for a prize: 

It would only be pleasure, and good exercise. 

I would take you and love vou in honor and truth- 
Dear, you are the flower I have sought for frwn youth 

A flower of charity, peace and devotion. 
One lovely friend on lifes stormy ocean. 

A heart to stand by me honest and true. 
Could I but find such a friend in vou- 



OLR DARKXESS. 

Darkness at dayiight, pieasure in pain. 

Your loving heart, and your love could I gain. 

Wandering in shadows, and looking for light; 
Loved one, my darling, my dav's turned to night. 

Darkness, O, darkness, O. when shall come day? 
When shall the mist clear 

And love have its sway? 

Here is my darkness, and where dwells your heart; 

Dear cme. I love you, but soon we must part. 
Life is a misery, and love is a pain. 

Darkness and daylight all reigneth the same. 
Darkness is reigning its scepter of sin; 

God is a judge and ruler of moi. 

Go to our schocildavs. and think of the past. 

Darkness is reigning, how long shall it last? 
All life when ended, look, what does it hold? 

Life is a mission, and where is its gold? 
Darkness at noondav. and love in the light, 

God is a great Jtidge, who judgeth aright. 

44 



PASSING LIGHT. 

Just a year ago a flower 

Rose in silence, on mv way. 
It was fresli with earthly showers, 

In the month of flowers — May. 
But a rose so rare in beauty 

Never lingers lonjj to see. 
Was this love, or hope, or duty. 

Or was this fancy care for me? 

Raven tresses, head adorninjj, 

Eyes dark brown, of shining^ bliss; 
Just as lovers in the morning^ 

That true hearts have loved to kiss. 
But that heart, that once was cheerful 

When companioned by my side, 
Now these thoug^hts have made me careful, 

Since I've faced the stormy tide. 

Life was joy, the hope of ^iving^ 

Was the hope that I had planned 
Should be p:iven to the living^; 

Even with it, life's own sand. 
Thoup^h I knew that she was dreaming 

Of a fairer face than mine, 
Did I understand the meaning^ 

When she said there is one to find. 

One to find bevond the billows, 

In the peaceful realms of life. 
And would true love be the pillow. 

When she became another's wife. 
O, that hearts were always true. 

Would we seek to find in vain 
For a lover that is true; 

One that would not give you pain. 

Well, this lesson I'll remember. 

It has left its silent trace; 
Like the snow in cold December 

Ever shines your smiling: face. 
Now the future is before me; 

I shall seek in hijE^her parts. 
Now I've lost thee for eternity, 

I shall find a truer heart. 

46 



Xow this pleasure all is over 

And the future. I had dreamed, 
Should it fade like a sea-rover. 

As the miles I place between. 
Secret hearts had sworn to measure 

Every solemn strand of life; 
Would you be an earthly treasure 

And a hero in the strife. 

Even spring-time shall lose its flowers. 

And cold winter cease to chill. 
While true pleasure rei.spis in showers 

And the stormv tempest still. 
Stills to hear a solemn messasfe 

From this low and sinful sod, 
As it carries a holy vestige 

For the throne of heaven and God. 



OUR FLOWER. 

O, this bud was youno; and fair, 
Pride of father and mother's prayer. 

Little brio^ht-eved. lausfhing- boy. 
Fills this world with peace and joy. 

Mother lover her precious Pearl 

More than all the treasures of this world 

Brown-eved. fair-haired little flower. 
Bringing: sunshine, blessed with showers. 

O. those precious, lovelv eves. 

Like the starligfht in the skies. 
And those lips, so nice and sweet; 

Chubby hands and daintv feet. 

Should this little fiov^er grow 
In this world of pain and woe? 

Xo. God in His all-wise sisrht 

Called our love from earthlv nigfht. 

Would our little love remain 
Conscious of this world of pain; 

Stru^glinof on life's troubled sea 
And sink into eternity. 

46 



Sweeter than tlic sweetest flower 
Blooms in siiiisliinc and in shower. 

Little flower, heaven's alone — 
We for you shall always mourn. 

O, the storms of life arc past; 

Nature calm, serene at last. 
Sleeping in thv mother dust. 

As some day we know we must. 

On the path which thou hast trod, 
And before the same just God. 

Ah, if we were like thee, love, 
In the mansion now above. 

Sleep on, loved one. in the clay, 
Silent till the judg^icnt day. 

In the pate which thou tvent throujjh 
We shall follow shortly, too. 



THE RULER OF DAY AND NIGHT. 

Within the eastern dawn, the sun 
Above the mountain seems to come 

With smiling face he views the day 
And bids the darkness pass away 

Amid our mountain home his rays 
About our dwelling seem to play. 

We view his broad and smiling breast 
Above the Walden Ridge's crest. 

And in his silver chariot glides 

Among the mountain glowing tides, 

He hastens on from dawn till night 
Giving this world its heat and light. 

Like Auster in his great array 
He chases on the fleeting day. 

The mountains in his path he views 
The flashing lightning passing through. 

He sees the noble sons of toil. 
The sin and vice about them coiled. 



47 



Our mountain home he blesses, too. 
While chasinor off the momino^ dew, 

And leaving all as lig:ht as spring:. 
The cheerful birds for him shall sinor 

And we, the children here of men. 
He views us in our ways of sin. 

The storms are rising, still he stays 
To thus dispute the right of days; 

The clouds are darken, overcast. 
The fearful sun is hid at last. 

But like the ruler of the day. 

Above the clouds he still holds sway. 

i\nd when the stormv cloud is passed 
He is ruler of the day at last. 

And like the^ Tove of ancient time. 
Appeals to God, the Great Divine, 

And smiling on the mountain fair. 
The morning breeze, the mountain air. 

At evening when this race is done. 
The last ravs fading from the sun 

And as the ruler of the day 

He gives the moon the scepter's sway. 

The moon and stars shall rule the night, 
Till morning comes the dawn of light. 

The silver moon the scepter swavs 
And rules the earth from dark till da3% 

And on the evening breeze doth ride. 
He sees Dan Cupid side by side. 

He loves his peaceful calm arrav 
To rule the night, not stormy day. 

He is free to roam across the sky. 

Awav from daylight's mournful cr^^ : 
Away from east to west he goes. 

He is king of night, and has no foes. 
The calm, the peaceful reign of night. 

Without its cares, is his delight. 

AMien in the m-orning as he comes 
He meets his older brother, sun. 

I now retire the scepter sway. 
I cannot rule vour stormy dav. 

When on his face there is no frown 
He then receives a victor's crown. 

4S 



FARMERS LIFa 

Entering the field at daylight, 

With heart so li^ht and K^y. 
I am a luodcni farmer 

That is not met every day. 
I love the chirp of the morninjj birds 

Tliat whistle the early morn. 
As I follow the plow, with determined look. 

Plowing my field for corn. 

I plow the ground, I sprout. I hoe, 

And prepare my soil at first — 
I seem to hear the voice of God — 

Your living comes from the earth. 
My limbs are wet with the morning dew, 

My muscles firm with work. 
I have found the work, and do it true, 

And find it does not hurt. 

What occupation man has sought, 

Wherever he shall be, 
There's none so high as the farmer wrought; 

No, none one-half so free. 
For manufacturer makes the tools. 

In warehouses to stay. 
And what the farmer plants in spring 

He reaps it in a later day. 

Give me communion with the soil. 

Teach me to plan ahead. 
It even sweetens ever toil 

Wherever man has tread. 
The farmer from his little plow 

Commands the world's esteem. 
Even the president should bow 

To such a one as him. 

The farmer turns the wheel of trade — 

The great machinist wheel — 
And what on earth for food is made 

It grows in some great field. 
The kings of earth turn to the field for substance and for life. 

And what is better in this world than a farm with a strife? 

The farmer's life is the life for me, 
Out from the noise of the town ; 
Out in country where the air is free, 

49 



The farmer's home and lawn. 
Go teach the world who laid the plan. 

To cultivate the soil. 
The scepter of life is in the farmer's hand, 

Although a son of toil. 

When the farmer's work of life is over 

And we reach the great divide, 
We hope to meet on the other shore, 

Beyond this earthly tide. 
Xow, farmer from your labor look 

Beyond your harvest here. 
Behold the path of life like books. 

At the close of every year. 



THE ARTIST. 

In his study sits the artist 

With his countenances gloomy cast. 
He was musing on the present, 

And dreaming of the past. 
O, my life like light is fleeting 

To a dark and dreary age. 
Now I am losing all my freedom 

Like a bird my soul shall be caged. 

Long the days mv soul did w-onder. 

From my childhood to my youth. 
In this battlefield I've stumbled, 

Xow I know the painful truth, 
Though the days that passed were happy. 

Then they seem.ed my dreary ones. 
They were all my laurels gathered 

At the close of my bright sun. 

Oh, we seem to think that living 

Is a bright and glorious charge 
Then when we recite that lesson. 

We have found it very hard. 
Death is cruel, but life is cruder — 

Living in this world of pain 
Where no true love never reigneth. 

Where no sunshine lives, but rain. 

50 



Yes, in summer time and winter, 

And those hearts we have loved the best, 
Let us sec our minds at leisure. 

If our true hearts be at rest. 
Rest a moment, come tojjjether, 

Let us be a child ajjain — 
Think not of the painful future, 

Be not conscious here of sin. 

Ah, that thorn was cruel that ])icrccd you ; 

Yes, that wound was hard to heal, 
You received for justice fijj^htinjj 

On life dreadful battlefield — 
On life's path you seem to wonder 

Musinfjj on life's slender thread, 
And the path over which you have traveled 

Those unforbidden patlis you've tread. 

Life is but a boundless ocean. 

From the cradle to the g^ravc — 
Yes, we start across this ocean 

And we sink beneath its wave. 
And this artist in his study 

Musing on life's lonely strand. 
Life is but a dreary forest 

To be trod by fallen man. 



BREVITY OF LIFE. 

Our f^olden race shall soon be run, 

Our day of life will pass, 
The clouds that hide our earthly sun 

Will soon be lighter cast. 
The darkest nig:ht shall have its day. 

The longfest day will end. 
And what I cherish on life's way 

Is trueness in our friends. 

Our toils and labors here we face. 
With a smiling^ face or frown, 

And what of life we jjain in grace. 
We hope to wear a crown, 

61 



Our time of life is very brief, 

The soul that choseth pain, 
He knows that death is his relief. 

And never strive a,s:ain. 

Our lives are like a passing storm, 

Besieo-ed by earthly cares. 
And when we ^o, and come to harm, 

We view our lives in tears. 
Now could we in the future .s:aze, 

And see our lives afar. 
Behold our misery, and its rays, 

Shine like a flittering- star. 

Then would we face our earthly life 

Without a tear or sig-h, 
W^hile lookinor on to endless strife, 

It would be far better to die. 
Than see our hopes, tho built on sand 

Sink far beneath our feet 
We chose the battle, and the land 

And meet a jo-rand defeat. 
Our lives are rivers o^reat and free, 

Travelino^ on that boundless, pathless sei 
Where none returns. 

With hopes that rise and fade away. 
With hearts that love, but will not stay. 

And in the greatness of our fame, 
There is a fiaw — then who's to blame. 



WHO SHALL STAND. 

Through this life, we only pass once alone. 
Can we choose the path arig^ht for our own ; 

Will we, while this life is ours, 
Place our hopes within the stars. 

Before we cross that dreadful bar. 
With our God? 

On this dreadful bar of life we must stand 

Struggling on through sin and strife, as a man, 

Facing all the awful perils, 
Of this dark and sinful world, 
Who shall stand ! 

52 



Can wc on this battlefield, for the ri^^^ht, 

Will wc stand, and never yield, will wc fijfht ; 

Will wc face this world so brave. 
Battle onward to the f;rave 
On this field. 

Who will jfuard your sinful form, with Mis care, 
Will you face this battle storm, and not fear — 

ThrouR^h this life are pleasures brief, that we claim 
Death will come to our relief, 
In His name. 

Passinjj on from death to life, in this world, 
Biddinfs^ a lonjj adieu to strife, and the held 

Painful thoug^h the summons be, at his call, 
Trustinjf Christ who set us free — 
Lest we fall. 

Life and death reig^ns, but a day, in his si^ht, 
Soon it all shall pass away, like a lig:ht, 

Like a meteor in the sky, man does reig^, 
He is mortal, but to die — 
Filled with pain. 



TO THE TEACHER. 

Teacher, we must stand before thee — 

Let us try to do our best. 
Some day we shall think about thee. 

When thou sleep, and be at rest. 

Lay the platform, lay it firmly, 

So that time can find no flaw. 
Let the whole world see around you. 

They must praise your work they saw. 

Do your best for every pupil — 

Try to conquor every soul — 
Let your work come true, and tested, 

Like the >faker's truest g:old. 

Yes, dear teacher, vou are forming:. 

The platform on which we stand ; 
Not as children as we are now. 

But as women, and as man. 

68 



O, our time we do not value, 
We don't use it as we should; 

We would love thee, teacher, better, 
If we only understood. 

The school days are but a moment, 
Happiness day that life do ^ive, 

Teach us every branch to master. 
Prepare us the way to live. 



OUR PARTING IS SURE. 

Dark clouds are traveling over head, 
You on this lonely road must tread — 
While you stand summon your heart, 
Love, and beloved you must part. 

Weep not, when that parting comes — 
Let no joyful hearts be dumb. 
Tremble not at death's dark face, 
Friends, you only change your place. 

On the road where none returns, 
There is a light within you burns — 
Friends may stand upon this shore. 
But they shall see you here no more. 

Death shall take you by the hand. 
Lead you to another land. 
Without repentance where do you stand. 
To meet the Lord and king of man. 

Here we walk in fields of sin. 
And our conscience strives within. 
Why not turn without a word; 
Harken to the voice we heard. 

Memories of them, all Divine, 

They have left a light behind, 

One to follow evermore, 

Till we've crossed bright Jordan's shore. 

54 



He who hanf^ed upon the cross, 
When our wicked soul was lost ; 
He who came from Heaven down, 
Walked thrcnij^h villages and towns. 

He was buried in the earth; 
He has now a i)etter berth ; 
Christ who died upon the tree, 
Shouted victory, all is free ! 



FLOWERS OF LIFE. 

Flowers of life, bloom only to fade, 
Chosen through life in every a^e, 
Dearer than all whose life is dear. 
Flowers of life, is a friend that is near. 

Nearer in trouble, and with you in pain, 
Flowers of life is a true friend to gain. 
One who is with you, trusted and tried, 
Closer in trouble to stand by your side. 

Sure as the morning^, the dawning^ of lip^ht, 
Strug^gling to conquor for justice and rigjht, 
Flowers of life, so sweet to bloom, 
Filling the earth with their holy perfume. 

Flowers of life, there is no friend like you, 
Honored and tnisted, I've always found true. 
Here is the mysteries, O flowers of life, 
While you are blooming. O why bloom for strife. 

Flowers of life, when you are at rest. 
Life is a trial, and a mighty contest. 
Bloom in the shadow, and fade in the sun, 
True life is a race, that few people run. 

Flowers of life, true as the soul, 
Finished their mission and reached the goal, 
Never no more to contest for your rights, 
Free from all shadow, to live in the light. 

66 



ON THE OCEAN OF TIME. 

We have left our earthly harbor. 

Starting- on an ocean wild. 
We must have our vessel armored. 

If we stand the mariner's trial. 

Though the stonns may rise and scatter, 

Many vessels in our fleet. 
But we will all at last be gathered. 

And into eternirv* meet. 

Mariners, while vou are on the ocean. 
Tossing- on tlie surging waves, 

Do you look bevond vour vessel. 
Do you think beyond the crave? 

Darkness is coming, day is fleeting.. 

But your ship, like Xoah's Ark. 
Must be traveling^ on the ocean. 

On the surging^ waves so dark. 

Time is fleeting, storm is rag-ing. 
Lightning flashing on the deck. 

Have you placed vour trust in Jesus. 
If you sink beneath the wreck? 

Traveling on an unknown ocean. 

Drifting on an tmknown sea. 
We will be fruii for Christ eternal. 

In a brig^ht eternity-. 



TOIL. 

Daily working as a slave. 
Marching onward to the g^rave : 
Struggling, trving^ day b}" day — 
Disappointments ail the way. 

\Miat is life that we should claim. 
Filled with toil, and sin and pain — 
Man upon this lifeless wave. 
Will find rest within their grave. 



DO 



Could wc live our lives a^ain ; 
Would we make them free from sin. 
Daily to vour work you jjo, 
Faciticr trouhlo. sin and woe. 

Here the icinplcr is near at hand. 
Will you come at Go<rs command- 
Curb vour temper every day, 
Learn to strupjjjle and to pray. 

Do your work, and do it well. 
Let your time vour labor tell, 
Strufifglc bravciv. and work hard, 
Time will bring you your reward. 

Here your life is but a day, 
Soon it all shall pass away. 
Never more to live ajjain, 
In this world of sin and pain. 



BRIGHT THROUGH ETERNITY. 

O thoufi^h work, throug^h life has been 
Filled with toil, and not with sin. 
Ves, your work throug^h life shall be, 
Brijfht through all eternity. 

Like a rose so bright and fair. 
That was blow^n by morning air; 
Like a charge upon this land. 
God called you at his command. 

Like a soldier at his rest. 
You have stood your Maker's test. 
Ere you sink beneath the wave, 
But your soul with God is saved. 

On this earth your days were few, 
Filled with love like morning dew. 
Here on earth your stay was brief, 
Now your rest shall never cease. 



67 



Free from ang^sh, and from pain, 
Xever more to weep ao^ain. 
Clouds may rise, and storm may ra^e. 
Years may change into decades. 

When the day that God has said, 

Man must rise up from the dead, 
Stand before the Makers face. 
And be saved by Heaven's ^SLce. 

Never more by sin beguiled. 
Pure and innocent like a child. 
Bright and glorious were the day, 
When Christ washed your sins away. 

O, your seat is vacant here. 

Others cannot fill your chair; 

But your work through life shall be, 

Bright through all etemitv'. 



BE FAITHFUL IN ALL THINGS. 

Be truthful, earnest and faithful — 

It seems that our lives are in vain — 
What gives to one heart great pleasure, 

Gives to another great pain. 
V'ht:; iaily labor confront you 

Sur.'.rr.ons your strength in accord. 
Ee tru:hful, failthful and earnest, 

Labor shall reap its reward. 

CHORUS. 
Think of true love as a treasure. 

And of the victories to gain. 
What gives to one heart great pleasure, 

Gives to another great pain. 

Love gladdens earth, like the springtime. 
When in the morning of life — 

WTiat giveth manv great pleasure 
Leads them to miserv- and strife. 

The sun that gleams on us brightly, 

Causeth another to frown. 
When one is highlv exalted, 

Another is surely cast down. 

5S 



The (lark clouds that swinp ahovc us, 
Hidinsf the sun from our view — 

Be trutliful, f»<ithful and earnest. 
\iu\ to your lov<'r lu- fnuv 

Tht brightest hopes thai \vc cherish 
Passes awav hke tlie hjjht, 

The love we truly enjoyeth, 
Turiy?th as hitter as nijsjht. 



LIFE IS A CONTEST. 

Life is a contest, of which we must face, 

Strujfglinjf throug:h honor, trouble and disgjrace, 

Weeping^ in trouble, e^roaning: in pain, 

Life is a contest of which it seems vain — 

Life is an ocean, so deep and so wide 

We start on this ocean, and sink in its tide. 

Trouble comes to us. our armor to try — 

Man is a mortal, thoug^h born to die. 

Life is a moment, a terror to face — 

Life is a moment, then death taketh place. 

Pleasure it conies througfh life not to stay. 

Trouble is a terror, which shall soon pass away. 

Struge^ling to conquor, and falling: to rise, 

Havingf your hopes on the sun in the skies. 

The oties we have trusted throug^h life to be friends 

Proved a deceiver, and what were their ends ; 

Life is a contest, and brigjht as the soul. 

Shines in eternity. Heaven the g:oal. 



TEMPERANCE. 

Hopeless, while you stand to think. 
Stopping once to take a drink. 
While we all in wonder stand. 
Organize a temperance band. 

While your sons and daughters fall. 
Will you help them one and all. 
Down with whiskey, let us sav. 
Temperance we must learn tn pr.Tv. 

59 



God in heaven is a king. 
He on us will vengeance bring; 
Fight his battles, for the right, 
Save our sons from dreadful sights. 

Look at bar-rooms, see their shame, 
Thev shall make the world the same 
If the Lord don't interfere. 
We shall lose some friends so desr. 

Temperance, in an armv go ! 
Save this world from sin and woe, 
Conquor tyrants, bring them down. 
Drive the whiskey men from town. 

Drunkards you must face your God, 
When vou slept beneath the sod — 
AMiat a fearful thing to do. 
Temperance, are vou kind and true. 

While you to drink are but a slave. 
It will lead vou to the grave, 
With a life of sin and woe 
Drunkrds, will you quietlj- go. 

Will you when Death's icy looks 
Reads your life as plain as books. 
Win jou tell him, \*111 3'ou go. 
Meet God's judgment on that shore? 



ADVICE TO A SCHOOL=BOV 

School boy, now's no time to play. 
It's a time to work, and pray — 
It's a time to take a stand, 
Learn to live when vou are a man. 

Do your work before vou go, 
To face the world of work and so. 
Seeds to han-est, at some set time 
Some shall grow to plants and \'ines. 



60 



How can you so ((uictlv stand, 
Steal your rif^hts from God and man, 
Vex your teacher every day, 
You shall find it will not pay. 

Some of vou from school shall f^o, 
With a knowledge of its woes, 
Disobeying every rule, 
Some shall hate to go to school. 



BEYOND THE RIVER. 

She has gone beyond the river, 
And her work here is a dream ; 

Buds may grow, and grass may wither. 
Years may change the time between. 

Here her voice is cold and silent. 

And her form lies in the clay ; 
Shall I meet her at the judgment. 

On that fearful looking day? 

Here she entered on life's journey. 

With companions and dear friends. 
Soon the chords of life were broken. 

And she met her earthly end. 

Was her life a shining meteor, 

Passing through this world like light. 

And amid her earthly splendor, 
Leave us in the darkest night. 

Soon the trees will bloom and blossom. 

And the joyous birds will sing. 
But my loved one's voice is silent. 

In the glorious coming spring. 

She is sleeping, quietly sleeping. 
In the peaceful arms of death. 

And amid our earthlv weeping. 
Silent is her voice and breath. 

No more can my love be weary. 

With the toils of earth and life. 
While her form is free from trouble. 

May her soul be free from strife. 

61 



DEFEAT OF EDWARD. 

Out on a cloudy battle field, 

The dust had risen in a shield. 

The form of brave men lying^ around, 

Had almost blocked the passinof ^round. 

Those men who made their name to shine, 
Were standing: in that battle line. 
They knew not that next moment may, 
Would silence them till judo^ient day. 

Into the battle vou must ^o, 
You have no need to fear your foe. 
You have been trained from cradle up, 
To drink that fatal, bitter cup. 

The trumpet sound, the bug^le pealed. 
Stand brave men. and never vield. 
You who stand within this line, 
Is Scotland's hope of future time. 

\\"ithin that battle men did die. 
Charge them with me. the regent cried, 
The regent and his line of men 
Fought like their native brothers then. 

The clash of swords, the glittering shield. 
Were ringing on that battle field: 
Wallace rallied soldiers then. 
Against the host of Edward's men. 

The slogan of that Scotish band. 

Was Lady Marion, rang through the land, 

Moved everv Scotish heart to tears. 

To think of one who was so dear. 

Edward, who rallied his bold host. 
Was trembling on that slippery slope. 
The chiefs of Scotland stood their ground, 
While all the Lanarks rallied around. 



62 



AN OLD OAK. 

Standing;: like a mif^hty fi^iant, 

On niv wav a tree. 
With its branches in the air, 

i beautiful to see. 
ia.ssing like a flashinjf Hgfit, 

I behohl it now. 
With its trunk so staunch and stronjf, 

Frost upon its brow. 

In the merry month of June, 

In its branches free, 
Many birds tlierc went to rest, 

It even sheltered me. 
Many a day I've walked alon^, 

On my way to school, 
Thought about this lovely tree, 

And its way of rule. 

Pondering on this narrow path, 

Man is but a tree. 
With a choice of right and wrong, 

But is not so free. 
This tree has stood the storm, 

Of many a year. 
Many nations rose and fell. 

But it is still here. 

It has stood a silent watch. 

Of the w-ays of men, 
Many had passed by this tree. 

On their wav to sin. 
Lovers stood beneath this tree, 

Vowed their love to keep. 
Many passed this earthly stage, 

Are in their last long sleep. 

Standing like a mighty king, 

Where the air is free. 
Ah that we could live and reign, 

Like this mighty tree. 
Take this lesson to thy heart. 

Let it teach thee love. 
While thou art an earthly tree. 

Strive to reach above. 



63 



SPRING TI.ME. 

Spring time ^vill soon be here. 
The most lovely time of all the year. 
For after winter comes the sprinor. 
The cheerful birds begrin to sing:. 
All nature which is calm and brief 
Will wake as from a mig^hry* sleep. 

Prepared to work and serve us all. 
Till Jack Frost comes, the kins: of fall. 
The early morning: and spring: time breeze. 
It ,^ves us pleasure, strength and ease. 
Old dormant fields arrayed in gnreen. 
Shall wear a crown fit for a queen. 

And flowers are g:ems of the crown. 
The sun will bless them looking: do^Mi. 
And birds and flowers, beast and men. 
Rejoice with spring: lig^ht from within, 
The spring: time bringrs the flowers gay, 
Along with showers on the way. 

Winter's reigpi is over, the spring: king is here. 
He has gone on a visit, to come back this year. 
To bring with him Christmas, the birth time of Christ, 
After we harvested and gathered for life. 
Prepared for the winter, the great northern king. 
Shall come from the north pole, and snow showers 
bring. 



MEDITATION. 

I am musing, sweetly musing. 
And the path before me seems. 

While the lessons of life I am using. 
Who will wake me from my dream. 

Dreaming that mv life is passing — 

Passing like a shooting star. 
While the armies of life are massing 
In the distant land so far. 



64 



I behold the armies rallyiiif^. 

At the voice of God's command, 
In this low, sin-smitten valley, 

We shall behold our Maker's hand. 

In this stirrintr battle facingf 
All the combined force of death, 

With the hope of heaven jjracin^:, 
All the world, while wc have breath. 

Battle bravclv on mv brother, 
Let vour work in future be. 

Learn to fipht for Christ, no other, 
Throujjhout time and eternity. 

Cast vour soul alone on lesus. 

In the battle stirring ring:. 
Look to heaven for forgiveness, 

Never live and die in vain. 



THE REUNION. 

Ah. we have gathered here, dear comrades. 

Where the air is pure and free, 
In this beautiful, thriving: city. 

By the rolling: Tennessee. 
Tennessee, it tells a story : 

Lookout Mountain, her tale does tell, 
How the blue and g:rav there battled. 

There is where the noble heroes fell. 

Blue and ijrav here foue:ht tog;ether, 

In this lovelv. peaceful site. 
Each were battling: for his country. 

For what each considered rig:ht. 
To our citv. come, vou are welcome : 

Be a soldier, kind and true, 
Thoug:h vou foue:ht with Grant or Jackson. 

Thoug:h vou wore the jjray or blue. 

Now the storms of battles over. 

And tnie peace supreme does reig:n. 
Be a citizen or soldier. 

On the bills or in tbo nbiin. 



Once we were enemies in battle, 

Let no war storm stir us ill, 
For whatever God has ordained, 

It is sure to do His will. 

Now let us join our hands in accent, 

Like a soldier for a cause, 
To uphold that glorious banner. 

And to help enforce the law. 
For the God of truth in heaven. 

Knows the way that He has given^ 
From the lowly sod of this earth. 

To the very g-ates of heaven. 

And at last when war is over. 

And no war storms stirs us ill. 
We shall meet in peace in heaven. 

Where our pleasures are fulfilled. 
Ah, the civil war is ended, 

With it many human lives. 
But the days of peace are reigning^, 

And we bid adieu to strife. 
Let us welcome every soldier. 

In the rank where conscience led. 
And the tears for those we are shedding, 

Are those numbered with the dead. 



THE SONG OF THE SHOVEL. 

I toil, I toil, and my station is low, 

I am of humble birth. 
Wherever the brawny arm is found, 

I seem to rule the earth. 
I am hated and scorned by the man of wealth. 

Whose pride is his riches in store. 
The brawny arms to the man of health, 

And stren,s:th is to the poor. 

The hours are long^ I am forced to ^\'0^k, 

You hold a hand of steel. 
Wherever I am known to work. 

Whole mountains have yield. 
The mansion in which the rich man lives, 

66 



I was the one to start. 
The earth before me seems to jfivc, 
And I work with willin^if heart. 

From earlv dawn, till late at niijht. 

Ill a hoistcrous, noisy crowd, 
I work in the care of the foreman's sij^lu, 

And the men arc sinj^ing loud. 
The rails on which the engines run. 

Were handled once bv me. 
I tossed the ore. () wasn't it fun. 

The miiuTs hope with ijlce. 

You seem lu scnni me. tender hands. 

And people of hip:her i)irth. 
But I am the otie that is in demand. 

To subdue all the earth. 
Your furnaces g^reat. and your mansion grand. 

I was the one to build. 
My station is low, but I take a stand. 

And mv office I trv to fill. 

The iTiountains are high, but I hew tlicm down. 

I make a passage wav: 
I pave the streets in the thrivins: towns. 
Which wealth does rule todav. 
I grade the wav for railroads long. 

And cities at small expense. 
And hold the scepter of the strong. 

A weapon of defense. 

On the field of battle I play my part. 

The trenches I clear for them 
Who set their minds with stubborn hearts. 

To slay their fellow men. 
I am a soldier trained to fight. 

For justice and for bread. 
The time shall come, when I shall get my rights. 

When the rich man's wealth has fled. 



67 



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